What is a Cookie?
A cookie is a small file with some data in it (like username and password), stored on the client’s computer or browser by the web server. This data is labeled with an ID unique to the client and the client’s computer. When the cookie is exchanged between the client computer and the network server, the server reads the ID and knows what information to specifically serve to the client. A cookie can only be read from the domain that it has been issued. For example, a cookie set using the domain anonsagar.com cannot be read from any other domain.
How do cookies work?
A cookie is a small text file that a website saves on your computer or mobile device when you visit the site. It enables the website to remember your actions and preferences (such as login, language, font size and other display preferences) over a period of time, so you don’t have to keep re-entering them whenever you come back to the site or browse from one page to another.
What do cookies do?
Cookies play an important role. Without them, using the web would be a much more frustrating experience. Cookies make it possible for a website to keep track of your movements within the site, and so allow you to carry out certain actions such as shopping baskets or electronic billing. They also help to improve your experience of a website by, for example, allowing a website to recognize your device so that you don’t have to keep re-entering your preferences each time you visit.
Why is it used?
A cookie allows us to track the state of the application using small files stored on the user’s computer. It helps to improve the user’s web experiences. For example: Without cookies, you need to re-login to the particular website each next time when you visit there. In fact cookie is also used to store the data like,by allowing users to select preferences. And the next time when the user visits the site, the site will show the data according to the user’s selected preference with the help of data stored in cookies.
What information do cookies store?
Cookies can store a wide range of information, including your name, address, password and details of your browsing activity. However, this information is normally stored in a coded form so that it is unreadable to anyone who is not the intended recipient.
How long do cookies last?
The time for which a cookie remains on your device or computer depends on the type of cookie. Some cookies are deleted as soon as you close your browser, while others remain on your device for longer.
First-party and third-party cookies
Whether a cookie is classed as first-party or third-party depends on which website the cookie comes from. First-party cookies are set by the website that you are visiting. Third-party cookies are set by a website other than the one you are visiting. Third-party cookies are often used for advertising or ‘tracking’ purposes.
How can I control cookies?
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings preferences. However, if you disable cookies you may not be able to take full advantage of all a website’s features.
